| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.59 |
| Liaison | Chris Bond |
| Submission Date | Oct. 30, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Unity Environmental University
OP-10: Landscape Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.93 / 2.00 |
Steve
Kahl Director of Sustainability Sustainability |
Figures required to calculate the total area of managed grounds::
| Area | |
| Total campus area | 238 Acres |
| Footprint of the institution's buildings | 55 Acres |
| Area of undeveloped land, excluding any protected areas |
0
Acres
Date Revised: Dec. 18, 2014
|
Area of managed grounds that is::
| Area | |
| Managed in accordance with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan |
170
Acres
Date Revised: Dec. 18, 2014
|
| Managed in accordance with a sustainable landscape management program that includes an IPM plan and otherwise meets the criteria outlined | 0 Acres |
| Managed organically, third party certified and/or protected | 0 Acres |
A copy of the IPM plan:
The IPM plan :
The college does not have a formal IPM plan. However, we operate using a minimum of pesticides and use the least toxic control measures. We grow food on about 2 acres of campus land. In January, 2014, Unity College formally created the Forest and Lands Committee to oversee the management of the college’s main campus forest as well as the properties located in the great Unity area that the college owns and manages. Two of our most important goals were to 1) develop meaningful carbon sequestration to offset campus carbon emissions and assess the status and threats from forest insects. Since it has been many years since any formal management plans for any of the properties were conducted, top priority of the committee was to establish baseline information on all the properties. This will include inventory of all natural, cultural and built resources found within the 500+ acres of property included in the oversight authority. This inventory work has begun and once completed, it will serve as the basis for development of the forest management plans for the college properties. With the environmental focus and mission of the institution, one significant goal is to identify ways in which we can increase our carbon sequestration by forest land set asides and sustainable forest management practices. In addition, we will collect and maintain records on pest species that may impact forest health and productivity, including and pest management strategies, if any, in accordance with an IPM plan to be developed.
Date Revised: Dec. 18, 2014
A brief summary of the institution’s approach to sustainable landscape management:
We manage our lands for research and sustainable harvest. The developed area of campus includes a small orchard. The 170 acres mentioned above is an underestimate of the land sustainably managed but we cannot quantify the total area at this time because the inventory of college properties is still underway.
Date Revised: Dec. 18, 2014
A brief description of how the institution protects and uses existing vegetation, uses native and ecologically appropriate plants, and controls and manages invasive species:
Yes, priority is given to native plants in landscaping.
A brief description of the institution’s landscape materials management and waste minimization policies and practices:
Grass clippings are not collected but mulched by mowing equipment and left on campus grounds. Brush from campus grounds keeping is chipped on campus.
A brief description of the institution’s organic soils management practices:
A brief description of the institution’s use of environmentally preferable materials in landscaping and grounds management:
The college uses locally produced mulch and/or campus-derived compost for landscaping and planting.
A brief description of how the institution restores and/or maintains the integrity of the natural hydrology of the campus:
The campus completed a stormwater management system several years ago that routes drainage into a stormwater pond. New development will strive to use porous asphalt or pervious pavers to the maximum extent possible as we create a new master plan for a pedestrian campus that will emphasize, for example, low salt use walkways because pervious surfaces will largely eliminate the need for ice control.
A brief description of how the institution reduces the environmental impacts of snow and ice removal (if applicable):
Facilities has a tractor-mounted sidewalk brush that clears ice, snow, and water in the winter, to greatly reduce the need for sand and salt while enhancing pedestrian safety.
Date Revised: Dec. 18, 2014
A brief description of any certified and/or protected areas:
Is the institution recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Campus USA program (if applicable)?:
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable landscape management programs and practices is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
All grounds are managed without the use of synthetic herbicides or pesticides. No formal IPM program is currently in place.
All grounds are managed without the use of synthetic herbicides or pesticides. No formal IPM program is currently in place.
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.